Marion Noel honored for his service in WWII by the UDC Cross of Service WWII, US NAvy, Marion Noel

The United Daughters of the Confederacy Fincastle 797 awarded Eagle Rock’s Marion Noel a WWII sailor, the cross of military service WWII, at a ceremony on April 20, 2019. On his left lapel (facing camera) the cross signifies his service to the U.S. Navy.

Noel from Eagle Rock was on LST 779 in the Pacific Theater of War. His touch with fame is the flag raised on Iowa Jima which his LST provided for the soldiers who raised it over the island after many days of fighting sometimes by inches, on the island. He was nearby when the Marines raised the flag for the famous photograph recreated by a statue in the Washington, DC area for bravery of the troops.

Noel is the descendent of a confederate infantry man in the War between the States, whose name was George Noel, Co. E 27the VA infantry.

Family, friends and members of the UDC were there for the ceremony and light appetizers were served.

UDC members pictured with Noel, Loretta Caldwell, Helen Camper, Yvonne( Bonnie) Cox, Donna DiMurro, Harriet Francis and Ann Wagner.

Story and photos by Cathy Benson